1To David: Contend, O LORD, with my opponents; fight against those who fight me.2Take hold of the shield and the buckler, and rise to help me.3Draw the spear and close the way before my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your salvation."4Let those who seek my soul be ashamed and humiliated; let them turn back and be ashamed, those who devise my harm.5Let them become like chaff before the wind, and let the messenger of the LORD drive them away.6Let their way become darkness and slipperiness, and let the messenger of the LORD pursue them.7For without cause they hid their pit net for me; without cause they searched for my soul.8Let devastation come upon him when he does not know it, and let the net he hid capture him; let him fall into devastation by it.9My soul will rejoice in the LORD; it will rejoice in his salvation.10All my bones will say, "O LORD, who is like you, delivering the afflicted from the strong one stronger than he, and the afflicted and needy from his plunderer?"11Violent witnesses rise up whom I did not know; they question me.12They repay me harm instead of welfare, bringing bereavement upon my soul.13But as for me, when they were weak I wore sackcloth as my clothing; I afflicted my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned upon my bosom.14I walked about like a neighbor, like a brother to me; I went bowed down like one mourning a mother.15Yet when I stumbled they rejoiced and gathered together; the smitten gathered against me, though I did not know it; they tore at me and did not cease.16With profane mockers at a feast they grind their teeth at me.17O LORD, how long will you look on? Bring my soul back from their ravagers, my only one from the lions.18I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among a mighty people I will praise you.19Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; let those who hate me without cause not wink the eye.20For they do not speak peace, but against the restful land they devise words of deceit.21They open their mouth wide against me; they say, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it."22You have seen it, O LORD; do not be silent; O LORD, do not stay far from me.23Rouse yourself and awake for my judgment, O my God and my Lord, for my cause.24Judge me according to your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them rejoice over me.25Do not let them say in their heart, "Aha, our soul!" Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up."26Let those who rejoice at my harm be ashamed and humiliated together; let those who magnify themselves against me be clothed with shame and dishonor.27Let those who delight in my righteousness sing for joy and rejoice, and let them say continually, "May the LORD be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant."28My tongue will declare your righteousness all the day long, and your praise.